The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced a $1 million commitment to provide direct financial assistance to immigrant families affected by a wave of detentions and deportations across the region.
The funds will be distributed in partnership with the city, with the team stating that efforts will prioritise individuals and households in “critical need.” Additional collaborations with local community and labour organisations are expected to be unveiled in the coming days as part of a broader outreach initiative. The Dodgers, who boast a significant Latino fanbase, said they hope to deepen their community impact through these partnerships.
The announcement follows a series of raids conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Los Angeles two weeks ago, which sparked widespread concern and led some fans to urge the team to take a stand.
“What’s happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected,” said Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten in a statement. “We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles.”
While the Dodgers stopped short of publicly opposing the raids, the move comes on the same day over 50 community, labour, faith, and immigrant rights leaders submitted a petition calling on the team to denounce the federal government’s enforcement actions.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the Dodgers for standing with the city’s immigrant community.
“These last weeks have sent shockwaves of fear rippling through every neighbourhood and have had a direct impact on our economy,” she said in a statement. “My message to all Angelenos is clear: We will stick together during this time and we will not turn our backs on one another — that’s what makes this the greatest city in the world.”
The announcement came just a day after the team revealed it had denied ICE agents access to Dodger Stadium’s parking lot. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security clarified that vehicles from Customs and Border Protection briefly used the area but insisted their presence “had nothing to do with the Dodgers.”
The ICE raids have triggered street protests in parts of Los Angeles, prompting US President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard and US Marines to secure federal properties, a move that has further intensified tensions.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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